"And to think," Charras said, pointing to Lothon, "that it was that brute who did it for me with his François sword!" "Come," said Lothon, "there you go, crying out about your blessed artery which is not even scratched!... I did not know you were as soft as that!" Charras began laughing, when Lieutenant-Colonel Duriveau entered. "All is going right," he whispered to Charras. "I will not leave you for a minute until you are outside the town." There had just been a meeting of officers, who had decided that, whether with or without the colonel's participation, they would range themselves on the side of the Provisional Government. The colonel returned in half an hour's time. "Messieurs," he said, "you must give me your word of honour to leave la Fère instantly, and then you shall be free." "I will give you nothing of the kind," said Charras. "You will not!" "No." "You will, at any rate, engage not to cause any disturbance in my regiment?" "I will not.... I like your suggestions, indeed! We come in the name of the constituted Government, and it is we who possess authority, you who are rebels; we could do you a bad turn for having us arrested, and you ask us for our word of honour to quit la Fère, and not to try to influence your regiment.... Come now! Either shoot us or let us go free!" "Well, then," said the colonel, "go to the devil with you!" and he held out his hand to them, laughing. They both pressed his hand and went out, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Duriveau, who, according to his promise, kept as close to them as a shadow. It may be gathered that the town was in a state of excitement. The officer who had been set to mount guard over them left the house with them, and, after shaking hands at the door, set off at a run to rejoin his comrades. The carriage had returned to the posting-house, to which they wended their way. At every step of the road the young men received manifest tokens of sympathy. When they reached the post, they were rejoined by the major. "Messieurs," he said to them, "the colonel begs you as a favour to go away; he gives you his word of honour that he and his regiment will yield allegiance to the Provisional Government.... But, at the least, you might allow him the credit for this adherence." "Oh! if that is all," Charras and Lothon both exclaimed together, "by all means let us start!" "One moment," said Lieutenant-Colonel Duriveau, "how are you off for money?" Charras turned out his pockets; he had hardly five francs left out of Aubespin's twenty francs. "How much would you like?" said the lieutenant-colonel, pulling out several bags of five-franc pieces from his trouser-pockets. "A hundred francs," said Charras. "Will that be enough?" "Surely! we came with but twenty." "Then we'll say a hundred." And he handed a rouleau to Charras, who broke it in two as though it had been a stick of chocolate, and gave half or thereabouts to Lothon.